Gentle Beginnings

During the first 4 days of school TK and K students will be part of a color group, not assigned to a specific teacher. Each color group will rotate through the classrooms and meet each teacher. Permanent class assignments will be posted on the King St. side doors on the evening of the first Thursday of the school year. No need to bring any supplies (pencils, paper, etc.).

COMMON CORE

Common Core State Standards (CCSS) establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from Kindergarten through 12th Grade. Forty-five states have recently adopted the CCSS, including California. 

In-School Enrichment Classes

Students receive specialized instruction in the arts, with drama, music, dance, and art incorporated into students’ learning throughout the day. Art classes begin in 1st grade and drama is 2 month/year to prepare for the show. Other enrichment activities are gardening and library. The PTA helps fund these programs. For info on how to donate to the PTA, go to Ways to Give.

Toolbox

BUSD district-wide Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum.  In addition to solid academic skills, Malcolm X teaches social emotional skills through the Toolbox which has been adopted district-wide for use in Grades TK–6.

Your child will learn and practice the following:

  1. Breathing Tool

  2. Quiet/Safe Place Tool

  3. Listening Tool

  4. Empathy Tool

  5. Personal Space Tool

  6. Using Our Words Tool

  7. Garbage Can Tool

  8. Taking Time Tool

  9. Please & Thank You Tool

  10. Apology & Forgiveness Tool

  11. Patience Tool

  12. Courage Tool

Positive behavior interventions and supports

The District-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program provides positive, predictable, and supportive school-wide social and academic environments for all students.

The 4B’s are Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be A Scholar.

“Caught Being Good” (CBGs) are awarded to students or classes for good behavior. At a weekly drawing, the chosen CBG recipient for each class gets a prize.

Welcoming Schools

BUSD has adopted the Welcoming Schools curriculum to teach kids to respect family diversity (e.g. gay/lesbian) and gender differences, including transgender and gender non-conforming students, and guards against bias and stereotyping of students based on gender.